Seth Black

WHEN Seth Black wanted to upgrade his car stereo he did not go out and buy one.

Instead he pulled out the electronics and installed his own Bluetooth receiver, leaving him with a working wireless sound system for his ride.

The 17yearold budding electrical engineer uses his passion for physics and electronics to fuel his studies.

His favourite subject is physics, which he finds provides an understanding of life’s functions which he appreciated and was intrigued by.

His love for the subject was sparked in year 10, when he took a mechanics course and found it to be a fusion of math and science, two subjects he enjoyed.

He plans to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

While that pathway could see him working on large projects like hydro dams, he is far more interested in small scale electronics.

‘‘I’ve always had this obsession with tiny things.’’

When he was about 5 he started to take apart pens, which drove his parents crazy.

He no longer leaves pieces of pen around the house, but now his room is littered with pieces of wire.

He also spends his time playing hockey, where he bonds with his teammates and focuses on having fun.

Although he was a member of the 1st XI and competed in regional exchanges, he never got overwhelmed and always enjoyed the game.

At school he acted as a mentor for junior pupils, the treasurer for the

Head boy (2022); All round best junior pupil (2019); junior citizenship Lions Trophy (2019); 1st in maths (2020); 1st in physics (2021); Tuakana Teina (2022); peer support (2022); school ball treasurer (2022); bus monitor (2022); 1st XI hockey (20202022); Level 1, 2 merit endorsement (2020, 2021).

Former president of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who rose to success despite his background.

To study a diploma of electrical engineering at Otago Polytechnic.

school ball, a bus monitor and the head boy.

Growing up he lacked confidence and each little thing he did helped him develop as a person.

The biggest responsibility he had taken on was head boy, a role he never believed he could do as a junior.

Although he still got nervous before addressing the school, he was proud of how far he had come.

All of his responsibilities take up a lot of Seth’s time, but he always finds a moment to destress by tinkering away on electrical projects in his room.